I will not be labeled as average...

The Black River Lady Pirate softball team plays on Wednesday, May 23, against Canton Central Catholic High School at 5:00 p.m. Here are the directions to Community Park, 505 Erie Street N., Massillon, Ohio 44646:

Tickets are $6.00 for adults and students. We need to get many fans going to support our fine team!! Any questions please call the athletic office at (419) 736-3303 X 204.

The Lady Pirate softball team made history yesterday in the North Ridgeville district softball tournament with a 12-1 pasting of the Columbia Raiders. With the victory the ladies advance to the regional softball tournament at Community Park in Massillon on Wednesday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m. Kailey Summers had 3 hits for the Pirates including a double while Nora Smith (double). Dagmar Smith and Taylor Goff had 2 hits (triple) each. Hannah Messenger had 4 RBI's for the black & gold. Dagmar Smith picked up the win for the ladies with 8 strikeouts and no walks. Black river takes on the Crusaders of Canton Central Catholic High School for a chance to advance to the elite eight.

Senior John Guilford won the Division II discus competition yesterday with a throw of 153'11" for his personal best throw of the season. The school record was set in 1996, by Blake Owen with a throw of 155'5". John will be advancing to the regionals at Lexington High School next week. The top 4 throwers will qualify for the OHSAA state track & field meet in Columbus. The athletic department would like to congratulate the softball team and John for a fantastic effort!!

In the Tuesday, May 15, edition of the Medina Gazette two Black River juniors were selected as Medina County Prep Athletes of the Week. These selections are made by the sports writers for the Gazette from nominations by the area coaches.

Dagmar Smith returned to action after a three week layoff due to an injury. She threw a one hitter in the sectional final at Black River against Brooklyn. She notched her initial save of her career in a 3-0 win over Buckeye last Friday. Dagmar began the week with 120 strikeouts and a 0.78 earned run average going 13-2. She is a two time All Medina Gazette first team performer.

Austin Phillips won the Patriot Athletic Conference 100 & 200 meter dashes last Thursday, at Firelands High School. His superb times were 11.0 and 22.6 in the sprint events. He is a member of the 4 X 200 meter relay team that placed 2nd at the conference meet. The quartet had broken a school record earlier in the year. Austin is a fullback and linebacker for the Pirate football team. The athletic department congratulates these fine Black River athletes!!

Tom has been chosen as a STAR Senior Student by the Akron Beacon Journal. The newspaper will honor him with his picture and write up on Sunday, May 27^th.

The Lady Pirate softball team has been playing superbly the last three contests. On Thursday, May 10, they beat Brooklyn in the OHSAA sectional final held here at Black River 3-0. The ladies then were victorious in a 3-0 shutout over Buckeye on Friday at home. The girls continued their winning ways with a 6 inning mercy win over Firelands last night 21-1 to complete Patriot Athletic Conference play. Dagmar Smith was credited with 2 wins and Kayla Finkel beat the Bucks. Taylor Goff had 7 RBI's in the 3 games while Jessica Chidsey had 5 hits and Kailey Summers had 3 extra base hits while Hannah Messenger had five hits.

The Lady Pirates are gearing up for a district semi-final game on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. against the Trojans from Trinity High School (16-9) at North Ridgeville High School. The winner of that game advances to the district final game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17. Admission is charged for distinct games; adults will be $6.00 and students $4.00.

Eric Hange, Adam Bush, Terry Sas, John Guilford, King Dillon White, Queen Gabrielle Doering, Amanda Leonard, Melissa Frey, Jackie Barnhardt, Jenna Periandri

The NHS chapter at Black River High School recently held their annual induction ceremony on Monday March 19th. Nine inductees were presented to the audience:

The current members and new inductees were inspired by our President Lindsey Mooney with the recital of the poem ìEquipmentî by Edgar Albert Guest. Numerous faculty and administration members were in attendance, including advisor Courtney L. Dieter, Superintendent Ms. Janice Wyckoff, Board of Education President Bruce Goff, High School Principal TJ Hellickson, and High School teachers Dr. VanDoren and Mr. Fechuch.

Black River High School will host a community clean up day on Saturday, May 19. High school seniors who need community service hours for graduation are willing to come to the home or business of any Black River resident and help with any spring chores that are needed. To schedule this service, please call the high school at 419-736-3303 and ask for Joyce. You will then be contacted with name(s) of students who will come on May 19 to help with whatever is needed: weedeating, window washing, clean up, etc. There is no charge for this service. It is the students' opportunity to give back to the Black River community.

The Black River Athletic Department held its golf outing at Deer Pass Golf Course on April 14th & 15th. All proceeds will be divided among the thirteen sports for the 2012-13 school year to offset pay to participate fees for our athletes. The outing raised $8,281. Chad Gibson, from Deer Pass, Cathy Seneff, Booster Club treasurer, and several coaches and parents helped to make the outing a success.

Hole Sponsors included: Tire Service, The Homer Ruritan Club, C & L Shoes Inc., Apple Mobile Leasing Inc., Monitoring Concepts, Judge Terry L. Hayes, retired, Lewis Land Professionals Inc., 7th & 8th grade boys basketball team, Mendco Construction Co., The Hoffman Group, Farm & Home Hardware, Paragon Supply Company, Connections Educations, American Legion Spirit of "76" Post 8, Sancrest Auctions, Pfister Orthodontics & The Post

Family sponsors were: Tamara & Charles Stiver, Debbie & Bruce Lorincz, The Aviles Family, the board office, Hoover, Karen & Joe Kmit Jr., Jill & Richard Fox, Jane Hollinshead and 7th & 8th boys basketball

Some winners of the activities included: Stacey Rosecrans for the ball drop, Colleen La Hood with the lottery chest, silent auction bidders were: Judy Deidrick, Cathy Aviles and Krista Roupe

Black River prom will be held on Saturday May 12 at The Galaxy in Wadsworth. Doors open at 6pm, Grand March starts at 6:30 and dinner will be served at 7:15. Dancing ends at 11:00 with post prom beginning at 11:30 at Medina Rec Center. Prom tickets are $35 and post prom tickets are $5. Tickets will be sold at lunch from Monday April 30 - Wednesday May 9. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs.Carver at the high school.

It is that time of year again for high school tournaments. The Track and Field for both the boys and girls teams will be going to Midview High School for the sectional/districts on May 17th & 19th. The top four (4) placers in each event will advance to the regional tournament. The baseball team was seed 5th in the tournament draw. They will play the Columbia Raiders next Monday, May 7th at Colunbia at 4:30 p.m. The softball team was the number one seed this year for the tournament draw. The girls has a 13-5 record. They will play at home on May 10th against the winner of Brooklyn/ Oberlin tournament game. The athletic department wishes the best of luck to all our spring teams.

The athletic department will begin selling season sports passes on May 15, 2012 for the 2012/2013 sports seasons. The cost of the passes are as follows:

The passes can be picked up in the guidance office (door # 3in the hallway to your left) from Mrs. Travagliante. Checks should be made out to: Black River Athletics.